AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Gnomes, these quirky statues that individuals put of their gardens, are flying off the cabinets at Augusta Nationwide.
The Masters golf-centric gnomes have been promoting out inside a few hours every morning after the event reward store opens. Patrons are greater than prepared to attend in hourlong strains for the $49.50 ceramic figurine that has develop into a extremely coveted collector’s merchandise.
Augusta Nationwide has been promoting the 1-foot-tall gnomes — which come in numerous colourful designs annually — since 2016.
And so they’re rising in recognition and worth as time passes.
One vendor has listed the collection of eight Masters gnomes for $16,000 on eBay.
Others who visited the store this week have already put this 12 months’s gnome up on the market on eBay at nearly 10 times what they paid.
John McGovern and his spouse Erin made the trek to Augusta from Carlsbad, California, and stated the gnome was a “focused merchandise” for them.
“They’re so cute,” Erin McGovern stated.
John McGovern urged the couple would possibly give it to a household good friend after they get again to California after the Masters. His spouse has different plans.
“No, it’s going within the backyard,” she insisted.
Others don’t have any plans to permit their gnomes to endure the indignity of residing outdoors in probably poor climate circumstances.
In any case, it will possible diminish its worth.
“We’ll most likely promote it,” Pam Threlkheld of Ninety Six, South Carolina, stated after buying a gnome on Saturday.
“We’ve heard it’s value like 5 occasions what we’re paying for it,” her husband Dwayne Threlkeld added. “Everybody was speaking about it, so I figured let’s get one whereas we’re right here.”
Patrons can solely buy one gnome per day and they’re offered on a first-come, first-serve foundation. There are additionally mini gnomes out there on the reward store.
Patrons sometimes will select to navigate the lengthy strains on the reward store upon getting into the grounds at Augusta Nationwide relatively than heading straight to the course.
The reward store cabinets are restocked the following morning till the collectible figurines are gone once more.
The larger winner on this gnome craze is, in fact, the Masters. Forbes reported that the Masters made $69 million in merchandise sales in 2022.
This 12 months’s Masters gnome is the acquainted previous man with an extended white beard, carrying a blue cardigan with a white shirt and tie, a white Masters bucket hat and blue-and -green plaid pants.
“It’s develop into this iconic factor, so I bought one,” stated Ben Milgram from Detroit. “Everyone seems to be saying, ‘did you get the gnome?’”
Milgram has no thought what he’s going to do together with his gnome.
“There’s a working joke in my home that I as soon as purchased a canine leash — and I don’t also have a canine,” Milgram stated. “So I don’t know what I’ll do with it. Perhaps put the factor on a shelf, I suppose.”
There is likely to be just a few individuals prepared to take it off his arms.
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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf